Thanks, 1970s!: Captain America II: Death Too Soon Trailer [Video]

byGreat White Snark

The 1979 made-for-TV movie Captain America II: Death Too Soon is what happens at the confluence of late-1970s-style TV schlock, a devastating lack of respect for the comic book source material, and a precipitous drop in the standards of famed English actor Sir Christopher Lee.

From the description on YouTube:

…starring Reb Brown. The character differs significantly from the comics, in both his origin and his operations. For instance, Rogers is a character in contemporary times whose father was a 1940s government agent. The very patriotic attitude of Steve’s father earned him the nickname Captain America. Rogers, an artist, was inspired by this story to sketch a superhero. After an accident he received an experimental chemical called the FLAG (Full Latent Ability Gain) formula (at one point referred to as a “super-steroid”) which enhances his body with heightened strength and reflexes, and a costume based on his drawing.

Yikes. That’s taking liberties with the source material, and then leaving it in a crack house for three days to see what emerges.

At least we can take solace in the glory of this steroidal Steve Rogers’ flying motorcyle.

Yeah. The 1970s were a special, special time.

Via Retroist, who disavows any knowledge of anything you don’t happen to like about 1979.

It strikes me that for a celebrated actor like Christopher Lee, such a role might be just plain fun.

Besides, for a male actor there is a bit of an in-between age at the middle age range. When you are young, there are young man roles. When you are older, there are distinguished and wise roles. Sean Connery, for example, filled the time between Bond (young) and The Untouchables (experienced and distinguished) with things like Zardoz and Time Bandits.

Some actors just enjoy what they do, and don’t mind the occasional role in a bad flick.